NWSL Power Rankings: Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage battle behind unchanged top three

1. 

Orlando Pride

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We’re running out of ways to say how good this team is this year. So we’ll just keep talking about the history they’re making. A 19-game regular season unbeaten run, and another different goal scorer extending the streak. Last week it was Summer Yates, this week it was Adriana getting the job done. Clear eyes, full squad, can’t lose.

2. 

NJ/NY Gotham FC

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Both teams have to play in the same weather delay, but for some reason or other Gotham didn’t seem to manage it as well as Orlando this week. They got plenty of shots off, but not many on target, and brought some physicality but never quite looked like they were the dominating team.  

3. 

Washington Spirit

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Had plenty of chances to put the opposition away this week but just…didn’t? There were plenty of promising attacks, often in waves, against San Diego, but their lone score came by way of an own goal despite plenty of good sequences by Rodman, Sarr, Santos, and Kouassi. 

4. 

North Carolina Courage

+1

This group may struggle on the road, but they’re outstanding at home. Even battling a weather delay, the Courage’s deep bench was the difference maker, with a game-winner by Brianna Pinto They’ve won each of their last three home matches where they trailed and set a league record as the first team to do so.

5. 

Kansas City Current

-1

The Current shook things up this week and started newly acquired goalkeeper Almuth Schult on the road, while Temwa Chawinga added some insurance goals to her golden boot chase. Wasn’t enough to snap a winless streak, and it’s officially slump season for the Current after picking up a third consecutive loss. 

6. 

Portland Thorns FC

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Even the returns of Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey weren’t enough to keep Bay FC’s attacking efforts away. Smith stays in the golden boot race after scoring her 11th goal of the season, but the Thorns’ mixed performances haven’t separated themselves from other contenders, and one win in their last five games could mean they get leapfrogged in the playoff picture soon.

7. 

Angel City FC

+2

The group is turning a corner in the second half of the season with stand-out play by Alyssa Thompson. With experienced veterans Christen Press and Sydney Leroux as options off the bench, Angel City is staying in games, and hovering around the playoff line.  

8. 

Racing Louisville FC

-1

They can’t quite figure out the right formula to stay above the playoff line. Had an opportunity to build on last week’s performance, but let a two-goal lead slip away at home this week despite dominating the offensive stats. Can’t let the visiting team control the momentum in the second half, especially against teams battling for the same postseason positioning.

9. 

Chicago Red Stars

-1

The club welcomed Mallory Swanson back into the mix and they look like a different team when she’s involved. Rookie Bea Franklin had a stunning volley, and the squad had chances to pull off a win, but didn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Meanwhile, the roster is still slim, struggling, and running out of ideas and time to figure it out.

10. 

Bay FC

+1

The northern California side pulled off their best performance of the season on the road against Portland. Newly acquired defender Abby Dahlkemper set the tempo with an opening goal in her first start, and Bay cruised with relentless effort in the final third and defensive organization – now they just need to figure out how to string together these types of performances if they want to crack the playoffs.  

11. 

San Diego Wave FC

-1

Last week we mentioned undefined tactics and late-game scoring that doesn’t quite change the outcomes of games for San Diego. This week it’s a bit more of the same. Stealing points off a title-contending Washington Spirit might feel good, and now the club can try to say Landon Donovan is comparable to Jonatan Giraldez if they want, but they keep slipping on the table and in our power rankings with lackluster performances.  

12. 

Seattle Reign FC

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The Reign are on their first win streak of the season, following up a late-game victory against North Carolina with a wild come-from-behind win against Racing Louisville with some help from a Louisville own goal. Ji So-yun has been a bright spot for the club all season, and her equalizer helped spur the eventual win. 

13. 

Utah Royals FC

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Watch out because the Royals are now on a two-game win streak. Ana Tejada picked up where she left off last week with another solid performance for Utah. She delivered the opening goal, while Mina Tanaka was active alongside her in the midfield, and they’ll look poised to play spoiler – and perhaps a bit more.

14. 

Houston Dash

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There’s not much left to say about the Dash at this moment as they continue to spiral in the second half of the season. An unresolved absence by their head coach, no general manager, and no wins in five games with four consecutive losses continues a disappointing season.